Hindu Heritage Month lights up Minnesota amid rising Hinduphobia elsewhere
Hindu pride radiated across Minnesota on October 30, as the state came together in two remarkable celebrations honoring Hindu heritage, values, and community engagement. These events carried a deeper significance considering the climate elsewhere in the United States.
Just days earlier, Rutgers University hosted a conference titled “Hindutva in America: A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism,” under the guise of academic freedom[1]. This event is widely criticized for peddling Hinduphobia and stereotyping Hindu Americans. In Texas, masked men held signs defaming Hindu deities as “foreign demons” and labeling Diwali as “garbage.” Such acts of bigotry stand in stark contrast to the atmosphere in Minnesota, where faith and civic life came together in mutual respect and recognition.
Irving, TX. A group of masked men with “Take Action Texas” are seen holding signs calling Hindu deities “foreign demons,” peddling Hinduphobia and hate against Indian Americans. And running a X handle promoting this bigotry. @thecityofirving, we hope that you take note and… pic.twitter.com/yw49Nqhyy3
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) October 25, 2025
Minnesota’s Eden Prairie
The day began in Eden Prairie, a vibrant suburb in the Greater Twin Cities area, where members of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) – Minnesota Chapter hosted local Law Enforcement officers and City officials. The gathering was a first-of-its-kind initiative by MN-CoHNA, aimed at sharing not only the cultural significance of Hindu festivals but also the ethical and philosophical principles that underlie them.
The CoHNA team presented an overview of the nearly month-long sequence of Hindu festivals, beginning with Navratri, progressing through Vijayadashami (Dussehra), and culminating in Deepawali (Diwali). They explained that these are not merely religious observances but living lessons in morality and human conduct, principles deeply relevant to those who uphold justice and public order.
Drawing inspiration from the life and virtues of Bhagwan Ram, revered as Maryada Purushottam, the discussion highlighted the values of truth, courage, fairness, and duty. Such ideals align naturally with the principles guiding civic service and law enforcement. The victory of Dharma over Adharma was presented as a timeless lesson in moral clarity and justice. Similarly, the lighting of lamps during Deepawali was interpreted as an act of awakening the inner light of conscience and compassion, qualities essential for ensuring justice with humanity.
The interaction underscored how ancient Hindu teachings continue to inspire ethical governance and strengthen community bonds in a diverse democracy. The event concluded with lunch from a local Indian restaurant, leaving participants with both intellectual and cultural nourishment.
Minnesota’s State Capitol
The spirit of pride and inclusivity carried forward into the afternoon at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, where Governor Tim Walz formally proclaimed October as Hindu Heritage Month. Held in the Governor’s historic and ornate Reception Room, the ceremony brought together community leaders and distinguished guests, including Mr. Somnath Ghosh, Consul General of India in Chicago.
Even though Deepawali had been celebrated globally nearly ten days earlier, the Capitol event served as a joyful reminder that the festival’s spirit endures far beyond a single night. Hosted under the auspices of the Association of Indians in America (AIA) and the Governor’s Office, the celebration featured ceremonial lamp lighting, remarks by the Governor, and a proclamation honoring Minnesota’s Hindu community. Ashley Oolman, Chief Equity Officer in the Governor’s Office, facilitated the event with warmth and inclusiveness.
Governor Walz read the official proclamation recognizing Hindu Heritage Month and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the contributions of Hindu Americans to the state’s “fields of science, education, medicine, law, politics, business, culture, sports, and more.” His words reflected Minnesota’s commitment to diversity and its recognition of Hinduism’s enduring message of peace, service, and unity.
The event included a Fireside Chat with Consul General Ghosh and composer-performer Shruti Rajshekar, a Minnesota-born second-generation Hindu. Rajshekar noted that while Diwali celebrations were once modest, today they are “bigger and bolder,” a sentiment echoed by many in the audience. Indeed, Deepawali has evolved from being a closed-door family celebration, say twenty years ago, to a global cultural phenomenon, embraced even by major corporations and cities worldwide.
As a CoHNA team member present at both events, the author reflects with pride that Minnesota’s Hindu community not only embraced its heritage but shared its universal values with civic partners and state leadership. Today, Deepawali is celebrated by more than 1.2 billion Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists worldwide, uniting diverse traditions under the shared light of Dharma. What is next to happen is a strong unity and alliance of Hindus to be a strong advocacy group, along with their presence in many different fields and economic influence in the United States.
As the diyas glowed across the Governor’s chamber, one truth stood clear: Hindu pride in Minnesota is shining brighter than ever, rooted in civic partnership, cultural confidence, and timeless values. And while cultural and heritage erasure continues elsewhere at the hands of anti-Hindu bigots, it will not prevail. The light of Deepawali, now celebrated in Minnesota with renewed vibrancy and boldness, ensures that darkness never wins.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
Reference:
[1] Rutgers University’s Academic Freedom Becoming Religious Persecution Against Hindutva – Oct 26, 2025, New India Abroad
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Formerly, a researcher in Italy, Japan, and France, he has widely travelled and came to the US in 1978. He was a faculty and academic administrator in several different universities in PA, TX, NJ, MN, WI, and NY, and an Executive Fellow in the White House S&T Policy during the Clinton administration.
